Chapter 3
(Year 2799- Present)
Mr. Weather was startled out of his sleep by a knock at his door. "Oh my…" he mumbled as he pushed himself up out of the rocking chair and adjusted his glasses on the tip of his nose. He made an attempt to smooth down his wild grey hair and straighten his dingy clothing before he answered the door.
"Jacqueline!" he squealed with delight when he saw Jackie standing outside his door. "Oh my, do come in." He pulled the door open wide and ushered her from out of the cold. "Oh my…" He rambled on as she came in and warmed herself in front of the fire place. "It certainly has been a long time since I've seen you. What in heavens name brings you out here so late in the evening?"
Jackie pushed her book across the splintered floor, watching as it came to stop against Mr. Weather's boots.
He cast his eyes downward and read the title, "Western Civilization," he shook his head. "Is there something you want to know more about?"
She didn't waste any time and blurted out her question. "What's in the city?"
The old man nearly became as giddy as a school girl, his eyes growing wide behind his glasses. "The question isn't what's in the city, my dear. The question rather, is who's in the city?"
Jackie's curiosity was peaked. "Besides the fools that keep running off in search of buried treasure?" There was a hint of sarcasm in her tone as she shrugged, "I don't know, you tell me. That's what I came here for."
Mr. Weather dipped a small cup into a bucket of river water he kept on the windowsill and took a drink before he answered. "They aren't fools Jacqueline."
"So there's really stuff like that in there?"
He nodded, "To the best of my knowledge." He continued sipping from the cup and while watching the clouds drift by through the window. "I say, it is a dreary day." He turned away from the window and looked at Jackie sitting in front of the fire, waiting for him to elaborate. "Well I don't know everything girl. Just what I read."
"Well what have you read?" she stood up and sauntered across the room to his bookshelf. There weren't very many books to choose from and the vast majority of them were missing their covers and the pages were yellowing with age.
Mr. Weather stepped up behind her, reached over her shoulder and plucked a book from the top shelf. As he took it from its resting place, Jackie noticed something that set it apart from the other books she had read recently. It had color pictures.
"It's got a few pages missing," He told her before blowing the dust from the spine and handing it to her. "But it's what I know. He paused and took another look out of the window as she took the book from him. "Oh my, such nasty weather. Come along, it'd be best to get you home before it rains." He placed his hand on her shoulder and ushered her through the back door to the stable where he kept his horse. "Hop on girl." He stuck his foot into on of the stirrups and pulled himself up onto the horse while Jackie tucked the book away into one of the saddle bags. He extended his hand to her once the book was secure and pulled her up on the horse as well.
(Year 2494- Past)
The Lord Marshal stood in his chambers, examining the decorative markings on his armor. He had only once in his life felt such a heavy responsibility weigh on his shoulders. But now with this planet, whose identity he still did not know, whose fate was up to him, was becoming just as heavy.
With a sigh, he placed his helmet on his head. He had finally come to a decision about the world he had been eyeing so carefully for so many days. But as he turned to leave his chambers he felt the floor quake beneath him as the engines of the giant ship were powered up. A growl rumbled in his chest and echoed throughout the chambers as the small planet began to grow larger in his window. The dim light in the room illuminated the anger in his metallic eyes as he tucked an object onto a clasp on the back of his belt and left the room.
(Year 2799- Present)
Adam watched from the front window as the horse trotted slowly towards his home. Worry had consumed him when he came home to hear of his daughter's tantrum, but it quickly changed to anger as when he made out the man Jackie rode with on the horse. He opened the door and stepped onto the porch, letting the wind blow in a swirl of dust and leaves. He waited until Jackie was down from the horse before approaching her.
"Haven't we told you before? Your outbursts don't change anything. And running off only gets you in more trouble." He eyed Mr. Weather carefully, scrutinizing his appearance.
Jackie shrugged and opened the saddlebag, retrieving the book she was to borrow. He father said nothing more and returned inside.
Mr. Weather let out a sigh of relief. "Oh my, I did think he was going to give this old geezer a lecture. You best hurry inside."
Jackie nodded and climbed the steps on the front porch. She turned back to Mr. Weather and waved before she stepped inside.
Adam didn't wait for the door to close before he started in on her. "What have I told you about hanging around that old man?"
Jackie shrugged.
"He's off in the head. Doesn't have the sense he was born with." He snatched the book away from her and read the title. The Rise and Fall of the Necromongers. "What is this foolishness? Get your head out of these books and go help your mother." He placed the book on the end table next to his armchair before sitting down.
Once Jackie had disappeared into the kitchen he removed the book from the table and opened it. He had heard about these Necromongers. And even though he knew it was nothing more than foolishness, he couldn't stop himself from opening the book and reading a page or two.
(Year 2494- Past)
The Lord Marshal moved swiftly through the corridors and it was only a few moments until he reached Necropolis, receiving gawking stares as he passed Necromongers on his way to the throne room. It was the first time since he had come into his position of power many weeks ago that he had been seen anywhere but in the dark shadows near his chambers. There was much talk among the many Necromongers that filled the Basillica that perhaps he was unclean. Nonetheless, he had little interest in these people's thoughts.
"Vaako!" His voice boomed though Necropolis, causing many a passerby to stop and take notice. He took his place at the throne, sitting with such poise that many would be oblivious to his previous lifestyle if they had not witnessed the exchange between him and their previous lord.
Doors opened to the left of him and Vaako entered, his attire a sign that he was ready for battle.
"You wished for my presence?" Vaako knelt before the Lord Marshal with his head bowed, but his eyes not leaving the larger man.
"I told you to wait till I made up my mind!"
"We could wait no longer." Vaako's eyes wandered up to the balcony as he spoke. When he made eye contact with a certain woman standing near a pillar he gave her a curt nod and directed his attention back to the Lord Marshal. "I am tired of the passiveness of your kind."
The Lord Marshal rose from the throne, drawing the shiv he had tucked into his belt. He crouched next to Vaako, keeping his tone hushed as he spoke, pressing the crude weapen to the man's throat. "I'm anything but passive."
Vaako nodded, causing the shiv to pierce the flesh on his neck enough to draw blood, "But if you kill me here, now before my due time, you'll never leave this place with your life." A series of gaps left the onlookers as the Lord Marshal stood, his shiv and his intentions clear to every Necromonger that had gathered in Necropolis. "You may hold the position of Lord Marshal," Vaako began again as he too stood, "But you are no lord to us." His eyes lofted back up to the woman who's gaze he has met only moments ago and a smile formed on her lips, encouraging the next words to leave his mouth. "You shall be purified." He told the Lord Marshal in a matter of fact manner before turning to leave the throne room.
"I'm in control of this fucked up faith here, Vaako!" The Lord Marshal called after him, but as the icy cold stares from the followers that surrounded him began to pierce through him, he knew that his statement rang false. His shoulders slumped and he heaved an audible sigh as he sank into the throne. How you gonna get yourself outta this one Dickey?
